I like the Barrett Jones pick. I don't know how anyone can say they don't know about the kid when he played excellent at Tackle as a sophmore. Playing ANY OL position in the SEC as a 2nd year players is saying something let alone Tackle.

I don't know how you can complain about the OLine and then say something like D-Smith did OK at Center. Newhouse did OK, Barclay filled in OK, and all that added up to "not so good".

Look at the competition along the OL with this pick.You have Newhouse/Sherrod on the left, Bulaga/Barclay on the right, Lang, D-Smith, Sitton, and Jones in the middle.

The only two "for sures" would be Sitton and Bulaga. I wouldn't doubt Jones couldn't beat out Lang if he doesn't get his head out.

They can't replace the whole OL but you can get a better OL by pushing the players and the return of Sherrod and Bulaga and adding Jones would certainly make for an interesting spring.

For what it's worth (not much), Mike Mayock has Barrett Jones rated as his third best center currently.

I don't think anyone is saying the packers wouldn't like to have Jones. I'm just not convinced he would be the most talented player available with the highest ceiling, which is what I would like to see. "Safe" picks just concern me sometimes. I'm hoping for the best player available with the first round pick. Perhaps that's Jones but it very well might not be. Either way, I imagine there could be worse picks, but such was the case with AJ Hawk, too.

Barrett Jones... I've warmed to him. Academic All American as well as All American. As the Walter excerpt points out, he's very technically sound. He's versatile. He could get you through a game at Tackle, but let's not kid ourselves, TJ Lang could get you through a game at Tackle. That doesn't mean that you consider it anything other than an emergency option.

I think Jones would do fine at Center, but I believe his best pro position is guard. My concern at either slot is the lack of upside. Jones could start tomorrow. I think he would be rock-solid for ten years at center or guard. I think what you would get for that is an AJ Hawk-like player... a solid starter whom you like, but you've seen all he's got very early. There's nothing wrong with that, but...

Montee Ball, some think he'll produce on Sundays, some don't. I think he will. I don't think he'll be a stud, but very good value where he's likely to be selected. My concern about Ball isn't whether his game translates to the next level, but the tread. He's had a LOT of carries already. I always view runners as having a certain number of carries in them, Ball has used a lot them already.

I am not an expert but a 6-5 isn't that taller than the typical C in the NFL? After a quick check of the Free agents it looks like most C are around 6'3". only 2 where taller. I have no idea if that is even an issue. Kind of like when "experts" say a guys arms a re too short. What is inside the man matters more than some of these measurements.I know he is able to play most or all of the positions on the line but if he is the C, I don't really want him moving over to G or T during a game. I want the C and to have a rhythm as they exchange the ball 50-60 times or so a game.

Neither is Walter. Just look up his analysis of Jimmy Clausen. His creditability is still rebounding.

The knock on Jones is he's not exceptionally amazing at any one position. He's just good across the board. I don't necessarily agree with that. I think he'll be an all-pro caliber center. He's assignment sound, agile enough to get to the next level, and I think he plays nasty. Do you finish? This guy does. Dodd keeps mentioning 290 as his playing weight, which is a valid concern, but at 6-5, he could easily support 300-plus pounds.

His detractors like to say he's a product of Alabama's system. That Warmack made him better. I actually think it's the other way around. I think Warmack benefited from playing next to Jones this season. Some of Jones’ best tape came against LSU and Georgia. Those are two teams with first round talent on their front seven. I thought Jones and Warmack pushed Jonathan Jenkins around quite a bit. I don’t think Jones struggles with nose guards in the NFL. He’ll struggle with quickness. Nonetheless, I'm usually not this sold on any one player, but I feel very strongly (obviously) about Jones.

Neither is Walter. Just look up his analysis of Jimmy Clausen. His creditability is still rebounding.

The knock on Jones is he's not exceptionally amazing at any one position. He's just good across the board. I don't necessarily agree with that. I think he'll be an all-pro caliber center. He's assignment sound, agile enough to get to the next level, and I think he plays nasty. Do you finish? This guy does. Dodd keeps mentioning 290 as his playing weight, which is a valid concern, but at 6-5, he could easily support 300-plus pounds.

His detractors like to say he's a product of Alabama's system. That Warmack made him better. I actually think it's the other way around. I think Warmack benefited from playing next to Jones this season. Some of Jones’ best tape came against LSU and Georgia. Those are two teams with first round talent on their front seven. I thought Jones and Warmack pushed Jonathan Jenkins around quite a bit. I don’t think Jones struggles with nose guards in the NFL. He’ll struggle with quickness. Nonetheless, I'm usually not this sold on any one player, but I feel very strongly (obviously) about Jones.

Talking about a system, then talk about putting Jones between Sitton and Lang. Might help him out a bit. Especially with Bulaga and Sherrod on the outside.

Barrett Jones... I've warmed to him. Academic All American as well as All American. As the Walter excerpt points out, he's very technically sound. He's versatile. He could get you through a game at Tackle, but let's not kid ourselves, TJ Lang could get you through a game at Tackle. That doesn't mean that you consider it anything other than an emergency option.

I think Jones would do fine at Center, but I believe his best pro position is guard. My concern at either slot is the lack of upside. Jones could start tomorrow. I think he would be rock-solid for ten years at center or guard. I think what you would get for that is an AJ Hawk-like player... a solid starter whom you like, but you've seen all he's got very early. There's nothing wrong with that, but...

Montee Ball, some think he'll produce on Sundays, some don't. I think he will. I don't think he'll be a stud, but very good value where he's likely to be selected. My concern about Ball isn't whether his game translates to the next level, but the tread. He's had a LOT of carries already. I always view runners as having a certain number of carries in them, Ball has used a lot them already.

The difference between Jones and Hawk is like 21 picks. Sure you expect impact picking in the top 10 but we're not. I'm not sure we could ask more than a steady 10 year performer....dead in front of our All-Everything QB. I don't know where people get that the guy is just steady and not more. He's a two time All-American and Remington Award winner. Plus, he's like a Rhodes Scholar. I mean he's supposed to be brilliant.

However, following your thinking then they SHOULD pick Keenan Allen if he's around. He's projected as a top 10 to 15 guy on a lot of boards. Higher than all the other possibilities being thrown around in this thread.

Wouldn't be my favorite pick but over a period of time he may produce a ton with who he's got throwing to him.

But it's highly unlikely unless we just luck up that there is a "big" guy on the OL or DL by the time we come around that becomes a huge impact. Not one projected to anyways.

I will say it again.. especially after watching him for years on Saturday's.. if the Packers have a chance at Ball in the late second or third.. they are going to regret passing him up. Custom made back for this offense.. one cut runner, can catch out of the backfield and has enough power at 215 to give us the tough yardage.

I wasn't sold on Dayne, Moss, Davis or Clay coming out of Wisconsin.. but this kid is a different breed of Wisconsin backs.

I would have no problem with the Packers adding Montee Ball at RB. That would be great.

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